PFL raises $65 million in latest MMA financing round

The Professional Fighters League (PFL) has secured $65 million of funding in its latest financing round, bringing total funding of the organisation up to $175 million.

The round, which was led by Ares Capital, Elysian Park Ventures and Knighthead Capital, will go towards financing the international expansion of the mixed martial arts (MMA) company, top talent acquisition, product innovation and global audience engagement.

In January last year, the PFL announced it was accelerating its global footprint by launching the International Qualifier Series, a fight twice in one-night tournament where top fighters from around the world competed for a chance to fight in the 2020 PFL season.

“PFL is the disruptive company in the massive and underserved MMA market, and this new capital will fuel our aggressive growth from the No. 2 worldwide market position the company has quickly secured,” explained PFL Chairman and Co-Founder, Donn Davis.

Founded in 2017, the US-based organisation has deals in place with ESPN2 and ESPN+, which sees events broadcast live in primetime slots

Around 25% of the PFL’s fighters are ranked in the top 25 of their respective weight classes, including champions Kayla Harrison, Lance Palmer and Ray Cooper III, along with new faces and UFC champions Anthony Pettis and Fabricio Werdu, and Bellator champion Rory MacDonald.

PFL Chief Executive Officer, Peter Murray, added: “PFL provides the 450 million worldwide MMA fans the excitement and transparency of the sport season format just like other major sports. In the PFL, fans follow individual fighter win-and-advance journeys throughout the regular season, playoffs and championship.

“There is no undercard in the PFL. Every fight matters.”

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